Highway to Heaven cast today: A look at their lives after the show ended

Where are the Highway to Heaven cast members today? While some actors continue to entertain thousands in film and television, others have transitioned to different careers altogether, and a few, sadly, have passed away.

Key takeaways

• Highway to Heaven is an American fantasy drama that aired on NBC from September 1984 to August 1989.
• Notable actors on the show were Victor French, James Troesh, and Eli Wallach.
• Some cast members continued to build award-winning careers, while others, like Anne-Marie Martin, changed careers altogether.
• The show was created and directed by Michael Landon, who also featured in the show.
• Michael Landon died in 1991 after succumbing to pancreatic cancer.

Where is the cast of Highway to Heaven today?

The Highway to Heaven cast built a lifelong impact on the screen that has left fans curious to discover their whereabouts. Here is a list of the cast members and where they are today:

Jonathan Smith (Michael Landon)

• Full name: Michael Landon Sr.
• Date of birth: October 31st, 1996
• Died: July 1st, 1991

Michael Landon, who played Jonathan Smith, was the TV series creator, writer, and director. He had previously appeared in productions like Beyond I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), Bonanza (1959) and Little House on the Prairie (1974).

In April 1991, Michael Landon from Highway to Heaven was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, succumbing to the illness three months later as it was advanced. The 54-year-old left behind nine children from three marriages. His last public appearance was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Speaking to People, Michael's daughter, Lesley, cited,

He was a busy man burning the candle at both ends. I think his own health got put on the back burner.

Mark Gordon (Victor French)

• Full name: Victor Edwin French
• Date of birth: December 4th, 1934
• Died: June 15th, 1989

Mark Gordon referred to Michael Landon as his career angel. Besides being longtime friends, the pair appeared in several shows together before Highway to Heaven. Unfortunately, Gordon passed away in 1989, two months before the last show.

Like his friend Michael, Mark was 54 years old when he died of lung cancer. He was survived by three children from two marriages.

Scotty Wilson (James Troesh)

• Full name: James Troesh
• Date of birth: November 12th, 1956
• Died: October 1st, 2011

James Troesh, who played Scotty, was among the popular recurring appearances in the show. The quadriplegic actor featured in seven episodes, writing one. After Highway to Heaven, Troesh served in the Screen Actors Guild and also sat on the Writers Guild's Writers with Disabilities Committee.

Troesh wrote Color of the Cross (2006) and The Hollywood Quad (2008). The filmmaker was also part of Star Trek: New Voyages (2007). Scotty passed away on October 1, 2011, at 54, after respiratory failure.

Arnie (John Franklin)

• Full name: John Paul Salapatek
• Date of birth: June 16, 1959
• Role: Arnie

Who played Arnie on Highway to Heaven? John Franklin played the role of a mentally handicapped teenage runaway in one episode. The American actor worked as an English teacher and has appeared in numerous films, including:

• The Christmas Secret (2000)
• Hell's Kitty (2015)
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2017)

Tom Kindle

• Full name: Tom Kindle
• Date of birth: December 30th, 1948
• Died: February 12th, 1996

Kindle played multiple characters on Highway to Heaven, appearing as a different character throughout the first three seasons. After the show, he appeared in Family Matters (1989), Newhart (1982), and The Rocketeer (1991). The actor's last appearance was in Love, Cheat & Steal (1993). He died in February 1996.

Julian Bradley (Jeff Kober)

• Full name: Jeff Kober
• Date of birth: December 18th, 1963
• Role: Julian Bradley

72-year-old Jeff Kober appeared as Julian Bradley in a two-part episode dubbed ''The Monster'' (1985). After Highway to Heaven, Jeff continued his acting career and appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including:

• The Hit List (1993)
• Defining Maggie (2002)
• The Guilt Trip (2012)
• Self Reliance (2023)

Kober won the 2022 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in General Hospital (1963). Besides acting, Jeff is an outstanding painter and bass guitarist who was a member of The Walking Wounded rock band.

Marjorie Anderson, Eve, the waitress (Eve Brent)

• Full name: Jean Ann Ewers
• Date of birth: September 11th, 1929
• Died: August 27th, 2011

The late Eve Brent, born Jean Ann Ewers, played three different roles on the show, including Eve, the waitress and Marjorie Anderson in The Reunion, which aired in Season 5. She appeared in several productions after Highway to Heaven: The Experts (1989), Garfield: The Movie (2004), and The Hit List (2011). She died in 2011, at 81, from natural causes.

Linda Blackwell (Anne-Marie Martin)

• Full name: Anne-Marie Martin
• Date of birth: November 11th, 1957
• Role: Linda Blackwell

Former actress turned equestrian Anne-Marie Martin appeared in a 1986 episode where she traded bodies with Victor French. After appearing in Sledge Hammer (1986), Anne-Marie left Hollywood to pursue professional horseback riding. She rode for the USA team in the World Championship and is rated among the top 80 jockeys worldwide.

Jabez Stone (Anthony Zerbe)

• Full name: Anthony Jared Zerbe
• Date of birth: May 20th, 1936
• Role: Jabez Stone

Anthony Zerbe, who previously served in the U.S. Navy played the role of Jabez Stone in the Season 2 episode "The Devil and Jonathan Smith.'' After the show, Zerbe continued with his filmography work, boasting notable roles in shows like The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and American Hustle (2013). He is also a philanthropist.

Jene Malloy (Eli Wallach)

• Full name: Eli Herschel Wallach
• Date of birth: December 7th, 1915
• Died: Jene Malloy

Award-winning actor and former military officer Eli Wallach appeared in the show's third season as Jean Malloy. He continued with professional acting, with notable roles in The Two Jakes (1990) and New York, I Love You (2008). Eli bagged a National Board of Review Awards Career Achievement Award in 2006 and an Academy Honorary Award in 2010. Wallach died in 2014 from natural causes.

Frequently asked questions

1. Who played Mark Gordon in Highway to Heaven? Victor French played Mark Gordon in Highway to Heaven throughout the show's 111 episodes.
2. Did Michael Landon pass away? Yes. Michael Landon passed away in April 1991, three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
3. Was Michael Landon a heavy smoker? Yes. The deceased actor smoked unfiltered menthol cigarettes heavily, which likely contributed to his cause of death.
4. What happened to the actor who played Scotty in Highway to Heaven? James Troesh, who played Scotty, died in 2011 after respiratory failure.
5. Were Michael Landon and Victor French friends in real life? Yes. Michael Landon and Victor French enjoyed a close friendship offscreen. French liked to refer to Michael as his career angel.

Wrapping up

The Highway to Heaven cast left a lasting legacy on TV. Whether they have continued acting, taken on different paths, or are no longer alive, they hold a special place in their fans' hearts for their timeless impact and uplifting messages.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke